1 June 2003

Novelty Clocks(HKTDC Watch & Clock, Vol 02,2003)

Novelty Clocks

A Fresh Look At Telling Time

Dynasty Electronics
Ltd manufactures talking alarm clocks (right) as well as an alarm clock
with FM radio and photo frame in a three-piece puzzle

The clock may be an ancient invention but new and ever more exciting styles
keep the industry ticking. Most manufacturers are content to simply add more
features but Dynasty Electronics Ltd has come up with a clock that almost makes
time talk.

The 10-year-old company has added realistic animal wake-up calls to its Doggy,
Kitty and Piggy Talking Clocks to help youngsters of all ages wake up with a
smile.

"We think consumers are getting bored with hi-tech styles and these cute
clocks are well received by the market," enthuses marketing executive Yanny
Tse.

The animal clocks are priced at US$2-3 FOB Hong Kong per piece; while the
equally popular FM Puzzle Radio in a set of three with photo frame and alarm
clock costs US$5-6.

"Besides manufacturing for OEM orders, our design team also comes up with
new ideas regularly, which customers can choose as open items," continues
Tse.

Dynasty Electronics uses ICs from Japan and Korea and ABS from the Chinese mainland
to produce 500,000 units a month at its 50,000-square-foot, 600-worker factory
in Guangdong Province on the mainland. Its minimum order quantity is 3,000 pieces
per model and delivery is 30-45 days after order confirmation and deposit.

Equally innovative is Ausbon Industrial Ltd, which has developed a digital weather
station that combines numerous functions in one sleek package.

"As well as showing time, date, temperature, our Weather Station also predicts
whether it is going to be sunny, cloudy or rainy," says sales co-ordinator
Vanice Lee.

The Weather Station is priced at US$5.45 FOB Hong Kong per piece; while the
Projector Clock with Thermo, which can project details of time, date and temperature
onto the wall in the dark, costs US$5.60 each.

"These are our original designs and we have a very creative team,"
Lee adds. "The Projector Clock has in fact evolved into a key chain option
which is very convenient to carry around. Of course, we also manufacture for
OEM orders."

Ausbon's products are made from plastics, LCDs and ICs sourced from the Chinese
mainland and Taiwan and sold in Europe, the US, Japan and Taiwan.

Seven years old and ISO 9001-certified, Ausbon operates a 22,000-square-metre
factory in Shenzhen on the mainland that manufactures 80,000-100,000 units a
month. The company requires a minimum order of 3,000 pieces per model and delivery
takes 35-40 days.

Not to be outdone, 28-year-old Lee Handerson (HK) Ltd exports a wide array of
light-up clocks, temperature clocks, databanks and calculators worldwide. The
company also has its own Vedex brand name.

"Japan is our major market and we also manufacture for renowned brand names,"
says managing director Homer Lee. "We are known for our experience in sourcing,
production and quality control."

Producing for a number of corporate clients who require logos and graphics on
their products, Lee believes his company's "excellent" silk-screen
printing and

pad-printing techniques are also major drawcards. "Our advanced Italian
machinery enable us to handle very detailed, colourful designs with high precision,"
says Lee.

Among the company's exhaustive range of products is an LCD Alarm Clock with
easy-to-use functions and a backlight that changes colour, priced at US$2.80
FOB Hong Kong, and a temperature touch-light alarm clock priced at US$2.15 per
item.

Lee Handerson requires a minimum quantity of 1,000 pieces which can be shipped
within 30 days. It has an 800-worker factory in Shenzhen on the mainland that
normally manufactures up to one million pieces a month.

"In fact we are also reputed for handling very big orders with uncompromising
quality," Lee says proudly. "Our record is 10 million units in just
two months."

Leona Lighting Design Ltd has taken a different approach to telling time. "Our
patented Time Image Shadow Clock does more than just tell time," CEO Leo
Ho explains. "The basic model shows time in colourful shadows, and logos
and pictures can also be incorporated, making it perfect for use as Christmas
lighting."

Leona exports its creations under its two brand names: Time Vision for the basic
models that debuted two years ago and Time Image for the new, colourful versions.
Europe absorbs nearly 60% of the company's output, while the rest of the output
is shared between the US and Japan.

The Time Image Shadow Clock Premium model costs US$8 FOB Hong Kong each, while
the Alfa version sells for US$9.

Leona has its own 1,000-square-metre factory in Guangdong on the Chinese mainland,
which is ISO 9000 certified. It sources ABS, PVC, PC and copper from the mainland.

"Our factory is capable of producing 80,000 units a month. We require a
minimum order of 1,000 units and delivery is 35 days after order confirmation,"
adds Ho.

Though a relative newcomer, having been established in 1999, Leona has attained
annual sales turnover of US$5m since its incorporation; proving yet again that
novelty and innovation pays handsome dividends.

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